Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

Well for those that have received the new CoDe you will have seen on the back page news of the new Evergreen Kawartha, "A triple skinned, cheap new boat, with good tracking and secondary stability, chosen with the new 2* in mind and easy to teach the J stoke in hours not days".

Well I was fortunate to pick one up on Sunday to play with and it does just that, nice outfitting, good balance/stability/tracking and does it exactly 'what it says on the tin' a very nice boat to paddle. This is not just my view as a few other coaches paddled it this evening and that was there view as well.

It is always nice to see new boats arrive in the UK and this one will not disappoint anyone that wants a good beginner/club/novice boat.

Graeme

For that price Graeme its a bargin Ideal boat for someone just starting out, looks a lot like the Liberty but that might be just the pic.

Hi Pete

No they are seperate companies, but they share the same importer in the UK.

The outfitting is from the Evergreen's and is a very good quality, hull design is very similar to the Liberty but with a slight rocker, the pictures are a little deceiving I will take some proper pictures of it next time I am up in Leeds as the demo boat is at White Rose CC at the moment, but very nice boat for the money. As for availability they are available now from leading canoe stockists (in Yorkshire) and some other outlets.

Cheers

Graeme

Until the end of July we are offering these boats at just £449.25 to C-WaV members, either collect from the North Pennines or Doncaster.

There will be a demo boat at the Ellerton weekend 12/13th July

Graeme

Guess I'll have to make the effort to get to Roundhay on Tuesday night then. Couldn't go this week as my car is at the doctors so no roof rack

Be quick it will be leaving there on Wednesday night on route to Ellerton for the weekend

G

I Paddled this boat at Ellerton and found it a very nice boat to paddle.
The shape above the water line is along the lines of a prospector but not quite as high in the bow and stern and with much less rocker,so less inclined to weather vane compared with a classic prospector.The overall finish and outfitting for what could be described as a budget boat is very good indeed,better than my Venture prospector which is almost twice the cost.
Both primary and secondary stability are excellent and instills the paddler with confidence,it would make an excellent first choice either as a solo or a family boat.
The boat definately benefits from being omered especially in the turns.
Now the downsides and I'm in fact being quite picky are the width I found it a bit hard to do an effective crossdeck (but mine's the same),and the weight,mine's in corelite and I'm unsure of the construction type of the Kawartha but it feels heavier,so you would have difficulties getting it on and off your car alone.
All in all though I found it an excellent boat and had they been around 18 months ago I would have plumped for this rather than the Venture Prospector.
Mike B...

Just a reminder, the £449.25 offer expires 31/07/08

From the manufacturers website



The Kawartha is an excellent family canoe with a versatile design that is at home on both lakes and rivers. This model has a slightly rounded bottom with no keel. The entry and exit lines are blunt and will ride up on the waves.

Specifications:
Length: 15 ft. 6 in. Width: 35 in. Depth: 13 in.
Weight: 69 lbs. Capacity: 750 lbs.

Our canoes are molded with a multi layer hull. This polyethylene sandwich provides additional rigidity. Our new end caps have a handle molded right in. Maintenance-free gunwales and weatherproof hardware.

Must say I was impressed with build quality of these boats and at a sensible price.

Comments from those that have paddled one,,,,,,,

These look very fine craft. Never managed to get a paddle in the one that came to the Broads, but reports from those that did were very complimentary!
They certainly look far better than most entry level canoes.

Cheers Graeme for loaning this one out so Stu could bring it with him

Nige.

No problem, we always have a few spare boats available for forum members to borrow if they are out and about

Look forward to seeing the thoughts of the others, nice pictures of Retro and Shelby in the boat

Graeme

I paddled this boat solo and tandam on the broads and I can say for the money I don't think theres better budget starter canoe.
Tracks well, nice and responsive, good stability, quality seat, thwarts, yoke and look really good on the water.